Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 150 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on economic and sustainable development, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.  
 
Deputy to the Head of Corporate Services, this role is a combination of leadership and operational delivery / resource management, mainly (but not limited to) Human Resources.   
  
The jobholder will report to and work closely with the Head of Corporate Services (HCS), supporting a diverse team of 28 staff who work across the corporate agenda, supporting the Embassy’s Country Business Plan; and will act as the Deputy for the team, providing leadership to the whole Corporate Services (CS) team as the Operations Manager. Together, the CS leadership team ensures operational delivery of high-quality services across Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Information Technology, Logistics & Protocol, Events, Security and Estates / Health & Safety. The jobholder will have particular responsibility for Human Resource services and advice for over a hundred locally employed Country Based Staff (CBS), Protocol Services to incoming diplomats and non-Thai Country Based Staff and will lead on logistics for the whole Embassy, providing excellent quality services to all Embassy employees.  

The role requires strong expertise and experience in corporate Human Resources, interpersonal skills, the ability to analyse information and provide a range of workable solutions to Heads of Section and the Leadership Team, problem-solving, and decision making, to keep the Embassy compliant with best practice guidance and policies from London (FCDO) and local legal requirements. There is also a strong focus on continuous improvement and change projects.  

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Strategic Planning and Leadership  

• Lead and deliver all Human Resource services at Post across the employee life cycle (recruitment and onboarding, performance and development, legal advice, strategic HR discussions, organisational development discussions), development of policies, and people-related initiatives and projects aligned to priorities, from post change projects and Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office priorities.
• Provide strategic and well thought out guidance and support to all staff including Heads of Section and Post Leadership across the range of day-to-day as well as complex HR issues, providing analysis and recommendations which outline risks and challenges.
• Trusted thought partner to local leadership and partners on the platform, seeing the big picture to ensure proactive resource and activity planning in Human Resources, Protocol and Logistics
  taking into account whole team’s objectives and through strong collaboration with colleagues in CST across the Embassy and externally.
• In-house advocacy to ensure Human Resource policies are aligned to global and local requirements and understood by all partners on the platform. When required, able to develop policies that meet these requirements.
• Support the Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Corporate Services in strategic leadership, decision-making and planning of the corporate agenda.
• Act as the Head of Corporate Services in leading, managing and representing CST in the absence of HCS, including decision-making across all functions, representation at senior meetings and delivery of projects.
• Collaborate with the International Academy on the delivery of relevant learning interventions, including designing, delivering and evaluating sessions which benefit all staff.
• Collaborate with the Regional HR Hub across the range of HR functions.

Operational Human Resource, Protocol and Logistics Delivery and Management   

• Manage corporate delivery through collaboration with the regional Human Resource hub in: HR     policies, employment terms and conditions, benefits, staff recruitment, on boarding, contract management, salaries, medical insurance and other staff employment and payment matters.
• Direct ownership and leadership of all Post HR  initiatives and issues, in partnership with regional HR hub ensuring that UK and local standards are met through planned and reactive management; and in compliance with corporate procedures, including local and UK regulations and policy.
• Lead on corporate projects and change management for HR, Protocol and Logistics
• Provide guidance and act as an escalation point on sensitive HR matters for staff, including management issues and dispute resolution, engaging with external and internal stakeholders as necessary.
• Champion, role-model and embed a trustworthy, collaborative and inclusive culture, ensuring post acts in accordance with FCDO policies across all people-related initiatives.
• Lead on all HR related work for the post Board of Management, researching and presenting papers, providing advice at meetings and following up on actions.
• Collaborating with the HLA (Honorary Legal Advisor), concerning local Thai Labour Law and liaise with the HR hub Manila concerning recommendations. Ensure changes are reflected in the Terms and Conditions of Service.
• Provide guidance to Sections during redundancy/resignations, giving advice concerning severance and redundancy payments as well as confidential payroll advice, e.g. deputising pay, sickness absence, unpaid leave.

Performance Management   

• Lead on the implementation of FCDO Performance Management Processes, providing strategic advice, and providing pro-active support and acting as a source of guidance.
• Drive Embassy-wide development activities to further enhance the performance management processes within the Embassy, including developing and delivering training sessions to support employees.
• Design and implement local reward and recognition policies.
• Working closely with the HR Hub, manage poor performance, disciplinary and misconduct procedures, advise and provide confidential guidance on bullying, harassment and discrimination issues.

Protocol Lead 

• Lead on all Protocol related work, including co-ordinating new UK diplomatic arrivals, to ensure that they receive a high quality seamless start to their posting
• In conjunction with the protocol officer, to provide protocol support to all non-Thai CBS, including initial visas, re-entry permits, 90 day reporting and visa renewals
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with relevant external stakeholders

Logistics Lead 

Lead on logistics, including air and sea freight for UKB staff, import and export licences for freight and personal shipments. 

Team Support 

• Provide cover for the HoCS  during periods of absence
• Support other members of the Corporate Services Team as required.
• Participate in post crisis activity as a member of the Crisis Welfare Team

Other 

Attend relevant Learning and Development activities to acquire the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the Corporate Services team and wider Embassy. 
In times of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy   
All staff will be expected to make a corporate contribution to the smooth running of the British Embassy, either through a committee membership or another voluntary role.  

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): Three members of staff
Responsible for post budget in the absence of the Head of Section

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in Human Resources management, advisory, policy and implementation with strong expertise and familiarity with local manpower law
• A minimum of 3 years middle management experience working for international (English speaking) organisation
• Experience in formulating and leading learning and development programmes.
• Experience in leading a team and people management
• Strong people skills and an ability to influence at all levels.
• Dynamic, well organised self-starter with excellent communication skills.
• Excellent team working skills, with strong ability to build co-operative working relationships across a large network, including external contacts.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness, good judgement, can work with integrity and discretion.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken